Did you know you can make some of the best Japanese food at home? With an air fryer, making quality teriyaki salmon is a few steps away. Air fryer salmon comes out deliciously cooked every time and uses way less oil than usual oven-based methods. The standard, hot circulating air helps produce a glaze on your teriyaki salmon that tastes chef-worthy.

Whether your air fryer is fresh out of the box or you’re a genius in the kitchen, teriyaki salmon is a great addition to your recipe repertoire.

The Best Teriyaki Salmon Recipe for Air Fryers

Before you start cooking salmon in the air fryer, you’ll need helpful tools like silicone-tipped tongs, as metal can scratch your air fryer basket. Parchment paper or a basket liner for air fryers is also a must. Lastly, make sure you have a small basting brush and an instant-read thermometer.

Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon: Ingredients List and Guide

Here’s what you’ll need for a four-serving salmon teriyaki recipe:

• 4 salmon filet (6 oz each)
• 1/2 cup teriyaki sauce
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• Green onions for garnish

With your ingredients at the ready, here’s a few easy steps to follow:

1. Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for 3-5 minutes
2. Gently pat salmon dry with paper towels
3. Mix teriyaki sauce, honey, sesame oil, and garlic for the glaze
4. Brush salmon with the blended glaze
5. Put in air fryer basket
6. Cook on the Air Fry or Air Crisp setting (depending on your air fryer model and brand) for 10-12 minutes, brushing with more sauce halfway through cooking

Air Fryer Teriyaki Glazed Salmon Secrets

Perfect teriyaki salmon in the air fryer calls for a great glaze. But how do you achieve this, you ask? Start by brushing your salmon with a thin layer of sauce. About halfway through the cooking time, add another layer. Double-glazing creates that to-die-for caramelization.

To prevent the sauce from burning, use smaller amounts at a time. Keep your basting brush handy and give the salmon a fresh layer of glaze every 4-5 minutes.

How to Choose the Best Cuts for Salmon and Teriyaki

For the best air fryer salmon, skin-on filets are ideal. The skin helps keep the salmon moist and crisps nicely and evenly in the air fryer. While both wild-caught and farm-raised salmon work well, wild-caught Pacific salmon tends to have a richer flavor that pairs beautifully with teriyaki sauce.

When handling raw salmon, wash your hands before and after. Keep your salmon in the fridge until you’re ready to cook, and use separate cutting boards for fish and other ingredients. These precautions help prevent the spread of harmful bacteria and avoid cross-contamination between raw fish and other food.

How Long to Cook Salmon in the Air Fryer

After preheating, covered in step 1 of the guide above, follow this quick timing guide based on the cuts of salmon you chose:

• Thin filets (1 inch): 8-10 minutes
• Thick filets (1.5 inches): 12-14 minutes
• Frozen salmon: Add 4-5 extra minutes to cooking time

Your salmon is done when it reaches 145°F (63°C) internal temperature, so have your instant-read thermometer ready. Another sign that the salmon is cooked well is if it flakes easily with a fork and has an opaque pink color throughout.

Tips for a Teriyaki Salmon Bowl in Minutes

Those minutes while your salmon cooks are golden prep time for your teriyaki bowl. You can steam some rice ahead of time or use quick-cooking varieties, like parboiled rice or instant jasmine rice, which typically cook in 5-10 minutes instead of the typical 20-30. For a low-carb option, make cauliflower rice in a skillet.

Easy sides you can prep while the salmon sizzles:

• Slice avocado and squeeze some lemon over it to prevent browning
• Toss julienned carrots with rice vinegar for a pickle effect
• Microwave edamame for 2 minutes
• Whisk a dressing sauce with mayo, sriracha, and a splash of soy sauce
• Chop some green onions and cilantro
• Cut cucumber into thin rounds and bath in rice vinegar for a couple of minutes
• Steam frozen broccoli in the microwave, then season with sesame oil

After cooking, let your salmon rest for 3-5 minutes to help lock in those flavorful juices. At this time, you can toss some of the veggies, like asparagus or broccoli, in the air fryer for a quick crisp; just 3-4 minutes will give them a nice char. The residual heat from the air fryer works magic here.

Master Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon Tonight

Now you’re ready to make the perfect air fryer teriyaki salmon! Remember, preheating, layering glaze, avoiding overcooking, and prepping your salmon teriyaki bowl components are the simple steps for a delectable dish. Once you’ve mastered the basic air fryer salmon recipe, try using your teriyaki salmon in wraps, tacos, or even sandwiches for a fun, new twist.

Want to put your chef skills to work? Fire up that air fryer and get ready for the best teriyaki salmon you’ve ever made at home!